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Penn State and Larry Johnson: Perfect together?

Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson

Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson is now serving as interim head coach as PSU's coaching search continues. Johnson is expected to interview for the permanent position, PennLive has learned. Joe Hermitt, PennLive.com

"I think that he's got the respect of recruits as well as the student-athletes that are here.'' -- PSU AD David Joyner on Larry Johnson.

STATE COLLEGE -- Count Larry Johnson Sr. among the football coaches interested in the permanent Penn State position.

Bill O'Brien is gone (to Houston) and Johnson, the Nittany Lions' veteran defensive line coach, has been named interim head coach while the Penn State search committee examines candidates for the job.

A source has involved PennLive that Johnson is expected to interview for the permanent job, news that many members of the Lions' current team and some members of PSU's 2014 recruiting class will welcome.

A couple of current Lions expressed their support of Johnson on Twitter Thursday morning as PSU athletic director David Joyner was meeting the Penn State press corps to discuss O'Brien's departure and the search for the Lions' 16th head coach.

"I know me and many other players would love to have coach Johnson as our head coach, he's a great leader and he will be a great head coach" was what PSU defensive end Deion Barnes tweeted.

PSU wide receiver Jake Kiley tweeted "Nice to hear that keeping Coach Johnson as our head coach could be an option. No one knows us or the school better.''

Added former PSU defensive back Adam Taliaferro on Twitter: "Daydreaming..Coach Johnson HC at PSU…@LaVarArrington as LB coach…find a OC and other staff and lets roll …"

Joyner said PSU's search committee, which includes Joyner, men's soccer coach Bob Warming and ex-PSU quarterback Wally Richardson, would consider Johnson if he wanted to interview for the job.

"We certainly are sensitive to our student-athletes and what their attitudes are and thoughts and feelings, always,'' Joyner said.

"Coach Johnson is a tremendous individual and if Coach Johnson, you know, wants to get into this mix, he will be very much welcomed and certainly get every strong consideration.''

Asked why Johnson was appointed interim head coach, Joyner said LJ, who is one of the top recruiters in the country, can work to hold together the 2014 recruiting class while the coaching search goes on. National Letter of Intent Day is Feb. 5.

"He's an extremely stable individual who is very well thought of,'' Joyner said of Johnson.

"He's an excellent leader. He has a long history at Penn State and he's a great representative of Penn State football and what Penn State is all about. I think that he's got the respect of recruits as well as the student-athletes that are here.

"In my book, Larry is a very solid individual who will be a solid base as we get through this.''